Assiniboine Park Conservancy is home to spectacular botanical attractions, captivating creatures, top shelf (and free!) entertainment, inventive and delicious food and plenty of opportunities to add first-time experience to your list. Here are four fun ways to make the most of your visit.

This summer, discover why a visit to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy is a day to remember.

Tips for Exploring Assiniboine Park

• What it is: A 700+ acre park in Winnipeg home to The Leaf, Assiniboine Park Zoo, English Gardens, Cargo Bar and the Summer Entertainment Series.
• Best for: Families, couples, first-time visitors, wildlife and plant lovers.
• Signature experiences: Polar bears at Journey to Churchill, four biomes at The Leaf, free live entertainment all summer.
• Outdoor activities: Free nature playground open daily from 8 am to 9 pm, the miniature steam train operates daily from noon to 6 pm, weather permitting, and Bee-2-Gether bike rentals are available daily from 11 am to 9 pm.
• Good to know: Bring a mat for Wellness Wednesdays; Cargo Bar is pup-friendly and there are plenty of food options (Park Café, Gather, Tundra Grill).

1. Beautiful Biomes at The Leaf

There’s a stunning showcase of diversity inside the now iconic horticultural attraction called The Leaf. Four distinct spaces reveal the beauty of plant life from forest floor ferns to fragrant rosemary and showy tropical blooms.

• Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome
• Mediterranean Biome - also home to rotating seasonal displays and floral exhibits such as Fleur des Villes
• Babs Asper Display House
• Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden

Butterflies and Waterfalls

Take the elevator six storeys up to the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden, a space where exotic species flutter high above a sea of green. It’s here you’ll also find Canada’s largest indoor waterfall—also at six storeys high—that helps create a wonderfully humid environment.

Gifts to Go

The Leaf Gift Shop is a curated selection of handmade items connect people to nature. There’s local and Canadian-made products, including Indigenous artwork, jewelry, skincare and housewares like candles, drinkware and reusable food packaging. And for something special, consider the gift of a membership to The Leaf. Members enjoy discounts, pre-sale opportunities for special events and more exclusive benefits.

2. Animal Attraction at Assiniboine Park Zoo

Assiniboine Park Zoo is one of the best family-friendly attractions in the province, offering up-close experiences with critters along with endless lasting memories of one fun summer.

Polar Bears are Here

The Journey to Churchill exhibit will transport you to the landscapes of the Wapusk Lowlands and the frontier town of Churchill. It's also where you'll find Gateway to the Arctic. Walk through the mesmerizing underwater tunnel and take time to watch the polar bears and seals swim overhead. You will laugh, smile and say 'awww' as polar bears play, jump into the water and stand on the glass above with their large paws.

Bonus: Did you know that the Assiniboine Park Zoo has one of the most comprehensive northern species exhibit of its kind in the world? This includes polar bears of course, a muskoxen, an Arctic fox and more, providing a rare glimpse of wildlife of the North.

Monsters of the Abyss

Long before there were postcards of polar bears, the waters of our planet were ruled by creatures stranger than fiction. Step into a world of prehistoric predators and their modern-day relatives, where fossils tell stories of extinction-level events and living animals prove some of nature's fiercest hunters never left the water. Expect jaw-dropping fossils, live animals up close, and daily programming that dives into the science behind the scales. On now until September 7, 2026.

Featured species include: Caiman Lizard (Dracaena guianensis), Pixie Frog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), False Water Cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas), Asian Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus), Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin).

Meet Them Up Close
Join daily at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm for Zoo Chats, where you'll get to know these charismatic creatures from the people who care for them best. Animal interactions happen at the discretion of our wildlife caretakers, with animal welfare always the top priority.

Dinosaurs UnCovered

Wander a forested trail and come face to face with 14 life-sized prehistoric creatures spanning the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Meet icons like the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex alongside more recent discoveries like the feathered Dakotaraptor. On from now until September 7, 2026.

Featured species include: Dakotaraptor, Yangchuanosaurus, Qianzhousaurus, Giganotosaurus, Regaliceratops, Parasaurolophus, Quetzalcoatlus, Toujiangosaurus, Dilophosaurus, Plateosaurus, Protoceratops, Angustinaripterus, Juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex and Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Interpretive displays along the trail dig into the science behind these creatures — from major fossil discoveries to the technology paleontologists use to piece together their world, and the surprising evolutionary threads connecting distant dinosaur species to animals alive today. The exhibit is located near the Animals of Asia section of the Zoo and is included with regular admission.

Summer Zoo Chats

Get to know your favourite animals from the people who know them best! Join a Zoo Chat and get insights into the Zoo's operations and animal care. Zoo Chats are on daily until September 7, 2026, with various animals like Amur tigers, harbour seals, parrots and white-handed gibbons taking the spotlight.

Go Behind the Scenes

Join educators and animal care professionals for an unforgettable opportunity to get up close with some of the zoo's most charismatic creatures. Behind the Scenes Experiences invites you to explore areas of the zoo not typically accessible to the public. Get an exclusive look at animal care practices, feeding routines and the specialized habitats designed to meet the needs of the zoo’s diverse species. Go behind the scenes with tigers and snow leopards or learn about the delicate relationship between predator and prey.

3. Exciting Entertainment all Summer Long

Music, movies, fun and wellness take centre stage at Assiniboine Park's Summer Entertainment Series!

Get Your Yoga On

Join the wellness movement on Wednesdays for some time outside starting at 6:00 pm with a gentle, all-levels yoga practice. You will flow through simple sequences that build a little warmth before settling into restorative postures and a deep, grounding relaxation. Bring a mat or towel, some water and a friend. Everyone is welcome!

It’s Movie Time!

Always a bit hit, Movies in the Park happen with two Friday night showings throughout August. And The Lyric Theatre concession will be serving popcorn, ice cream treats and other tasty snacks to complete your cinematic experience.

Concerts Galore

The Lyric Theatre comes alive every Thursday and Sunday night throughout the summer with an impressive line-up of acts. This year, there’s a 10 Year Anniversary of Tragically Hip's Last Performance by Killer Whale Tank, the Midnight Social Club featuring ABBA + 70s + 80s, and Don Amero & Catie St. Germain presented by sākihiwē festival for starters.

Here's the full list of free activities you can find throughout July and August:

Summer Concert Series
Lyric Theatre | Thursdays & Sundays, 7–9 pm

• Local favourites including Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Cassidy Mann, and Don Amero & Catie St. Germain.

Jazz at the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden
Sundays, noon–1 pm

• Featuring the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra ensemble, Erin Propp & Larry Roy, Danny Carroll and more.

Movies in the Park
Lyric Theatre | Fridays in August, 6:30 pm & 8:45 pm

• Family favourites: Zootopia 2, Hoppers, Trolls Band Together and Monsters Inc.

Wellness Wednesdays
Lyric Theatre | Wednesdays in August, 6–7 pm

• Yoga with Adrienne Shum

Garden Concert Series
Outdoor Gardens at The Leaf | Saturdays in July, 11 am–noon

• Featuring ÓFukami, Brazilian Vibe Duo, Wacky Doodle Dance Party and Slow Leaves.

Art in the Park
The Pavilion | Daily, 9 am–5 pm

• Ongoing art exhibitions and the year-round Winnie the Pooh exhibit.

Ballet at Lyric Theatre
July 28–30, 6:30–8:30 pm

• Family-friendly activities alongside a performance by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Folklorama Kickoff Event
Lyric Theatre | July 25, 4–8 pm

• Folklorama will host their annual kick-off event at the Lyric Theatre!

4. Fill Up on Food and Drink

Breakfast on the Banks

Located on the banks of the Riley Family Duck Pond, the Park Café is the place for a smoked Manitoba steelhead trout eggs Benedict, a shakshuka skillet or a freshly-baked cinnamon bun. Look for plenty of local, vegetarian and gluten free options on the menu that also includes bowls, burgers, sandwiches, salads and a complete assortment of refreshing beverages.

Where We Gather

Chorizo spiced vegan tacos? Hickory smoked pork belly? Ginger lemongrass crème brûlée? Temptations abound at Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, located inside The Leaf. The restaurant explores food from across cultures—incorporating fresh, locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients from their gardens in season. They’re big on pickling, preserving and .fermenting, plus highlighting Manitoban ingredients and growers.

Meet for a Cocktail

It’s a shipping container of the very best kind! The Cargo Bar has become the unofficial meeting place for park visitors thanks to an inventive selection of cocktails, mocktails, local craft beers and wine. Nestled in the heart of Assiniboine Park next to the duck pond, the pup-friendly space welcomes the entire family. This summer, food is provided by Taco Barrio, serving up all the tacos, nachos and favourite savoury bites.

Plan Your Assiniboine Park Conservancy Adventure

Here are a few more tips to help you enjoy the sights, sounds and taste sensations at Assiniboine Park this summer.

• Pick your day around the entertainment schedule. Concerts run Thursday and Sunday, Movies in the Park is Friday nights in August, yoga is Wednesday, and jazz is Sunday midday — so a Sunday visit could realistically stack a jazz set at Leo Mol with an evening concert at Lyric Theatre.
• Arrive early for the Zoo's underwater tunnel. Journey to Churchill draws crowds, especially around active polar bear time.
• Budget more time than you think. Between The Leaf's four biomes, the Zoo, outdoor gardens and food stops, Assiniboine Park can be a full day experience!
• Check the Zoo Chats schedule if you want a guided experience. These run daily through September 7, 2026, and rotate species featured. Worth timing your visit around one if there's an animal you specifically want to see!